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Briefing: Atkins

THIS company is the largest engineering consultancy in Britain, and one of the biggest in the world. Formerly known as WS Atkins, it was founded by Sir William Atkins in 1938. Its most famous project was Dubai's Burj Al Arab, the third-highest hotel in the world. At present, the company's most high-profile contract is the London 2012 Olympics. Others include Crossrail, the M25 widening and the London Overground. Atkins has 18,000 staff in 25 countries.

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVEKeith Clarke

AS a champion of road building, chief executive Keith Clarke makes an unlikely eco-warrior, yet he has been the driving force behind Atkins's involvement in many green projects, including a 66-storey tower in the Dubai International Finance Centre, nicknamed the Lighthouse. Less impressive was the company's £130m loss as a shareholder in Metronet, the Tube maintenance firm - a saga that cost Clarke his annual bonus.